** "It's always interesting, what people use to justify things under the banner of heaven, using religious texts - and how it's been bent to please the American government."

Rory Culkin Talks 'Under The Banner Of Heaven: A Story Of Violent Faith.' The star of Waco and Lords Of Chaos discusses his latest portrayal in this page to screen dramatic mini-series delving into the murky depths of religious fanaticism in this country - in this case pertaining to the crimes and coverups of the Mormon Church.

Culkin likewise shares memories of co-starring when he was just 13 years old, with late screen legend Robin Williams in the radio station noir, The Night Listener. Along with starting out playing many versions of his older actor brothers in movies, including Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone.

** "Things are not what they appear to be..."

Deep Dive: The magic of art and the art of magic. Our resident practitioner of both the arts and magic probes connections to novels, music and politics; deception, deceit, propaganda, and the CIA/NSA Twitter pages. Along with butterfly wings, someone's dining room table - and 'confrontation with the impossible...'

Speaking of magic...

This showed up in our e-mailbox yesterday. I have no idea who it is from, but I guess it’s from a fan of our Arts Express Magazine and radio show. Thank you, whoever you are! 

** Cancel Culture Un-Cancelled: George Bush gets grilled by Zelensky - Or does he...

Eavesdropping on Pentagon biolabs, orange revolutions, Churchill, Angelina Jolie, missiles, Monica Lewinsky, and Colin Powell's test tubes.

Plus...Your One Minute Marxist, a real deal retired auto worker presentation...Poetry about a hummingbird, a kitchen table, a housefly, nectar and yogurt... 

DEEP IN THE FOREST REVIEW: CANCEL CULTURE CINEMA RULES

The political doomsday drama Deep In The Forest may make geographical points, but deep into the pressing political issues - not so much. 

In a case of what may be termed Cancel Culture Cinema, filmmakers  Jeremy Dylan Lanni and co-writer Pasquale Lanni attempt to tantalize with the controversial topic of a right wing insurrection takeover in this country, but apparently fear to tread to wherever their intrepid characters seem to be headed - ending up with a decidedly timid narrative on their part, in comparison. And as if the filmmakers fear right wing backlash, more than their characters do.

As the narrative unspools, a seemingly disorganized and ineffectual band of local Democrats are suddenly and mysteriously blindfolded and carted off to a wilderness hideaway, to protect them from the insurrectionists. They have no idea where they are or what's happening to them, and unfortunately, neither do we. Then at some point, a Hollywood happy ending is shoe-horned into the proceedings, wrapping up the ensuing events without bothering to provide clarity or insight regarding the issues at hand.

Though not surprisingly, the designated villain among all the invisible ones, turns out to be a woman - a bossy, emotional housewife with apparently suppressed violent tendencies - a far too prevalent stereotype lately in movies, with the Me Too movement backlash in progress.

Prairie Miller